England’s last meeting with Australia was at the World Cup in Sydney eight years ago – where they were beaten 38-0.
Barrow and his players knew it was always going to be asking a lot to beat a side packed with NRL Women’s Premiership talent, but the margin of the defeat came as a huge shock.
Roche was in tears on the pitch at full-time, and was embraced by both her head coach and Australia’s players.
The tone was set early, with four Australia tries in the opening 15 minutes: Robinson dived over in the corner from Ali Brigginshaw’s pass, and then Penitani scored after a fine break by Kezie Apps was held up by England’s Anna Davies – before two sublime kicks from the excellent Tarryn Aiken set up first Upton, then Mato.
Upton raced through twice to complete a first-half hat-trick, Kelly dodged the England defence for her first, and Robinson scored the eighth try of the half from another Aiken set-up.
After a long hold-up at the start of the second half as England’s Whitfield was treated on the pitch, Australia continued to add to the scoreboard. Kelly was set up unselfishly by Yasmin Clydsdale, Upton crashed over again for her fourth, then added a fifth, before Sergis – having had a try ruled out for a push – set up Robinson for her third.
Sergis then scored one that did count from Aiken’s pass, and was fed by Upton to dart through for a second, with Whitfeld going over in the corner in between.
In the final seven minutes, Sergis completed a second-half hat-trick, and Keilee Joseph scored easily following another Apps break – before Roche had the last word for England, and got the biggest cheer of the night.
